Episode 2 of Tokyo Vice commences with a dramatic chase, a man brandishing a knife in pursuit of Jake. This latest assignment thrusts him into the shadows of Kabukicho, hunting for the elusive panty thief.
Meanwhile, Samantha, the club regular, is on the prowl for a new investment property. Her search is abruptly halted when Polina calls, requesting her assistance with a client. Jake, on the other hand, finds himself at a loss for leads in his quest to capture the panty thief. Muroyama-san sets a stringent deadline for him to deliver his article, suggesting he leverage his police contact, Miyamoto-san, for assistance.
The Ishida clan convenes, discussing Tomazawa's encroachment into their territory. They opt for a strategic retreat, increasing protection money and preparing for a potential conflict. After numerous revisions and Miyamoto's insightful input, Jake finally submits an article destined for the morning edition.
Detective Hiroto, from the organized crime division, delves into the stabbing of Mr. Aoki. A low-ranking thug from Tomazawa's gang confesses, seemingly closing the case. Yet, Hiroto, much like Jake, refuses to be satisfied with superficial explanations. He visits Aoki's widow, and the truth unfolds: a tale of borrowed money, missed payments, skyrocketing interest, and an inability to repay. Jake arrives at the same moment as Hiroto, but is curtly dismissed by the grieving widow.
Both men face similar challenges in their respective professions. Jake is misguided by Miyamoto in his search for the panty thief, only to have the criminal captured days later. This leads to him being relegated to the mundane task of scrapbooking by Baku. Hiroto, too, presents his findings and suspicions to his superior, but is dismissed with a wave of the hand.
After a long absence of three years, Jake receives an unexpected package from home, igniting a sense of nostalgia. Prompted, he demands a tale from Miyamoto, who reveals that their interactions are solely based on a transactional foundation. The simple rule: pay up, or leave empty-handed.
Meanwhile, Samantha grapples with Duke's menacing threats of visa cancellation and imminent deportation. Unexpectedly, Jake stumbles upon her at work, and Sato, the Ishida clan's collector, joins them at the table. The trio finds common ground in their admiration for American fashion brands, forming an unlikely bond.
Unfortunately, Jake misses his train and finds himself spending the night at his friend's abode. As he drifts into slumber, listening to the tapes sent by his sister Jessica, a jarring news flash jolts him awake, reporting a violent crime syndicate incident in the vicinity.
Intrigued, Jake rushes to the scene and witnesses Nakamura, a menacing Tozawa thug, pointing a gun at Duke. Just as he's about to execute the deed, Hiroto strides in, uttering a few words that compel Nakamura to hand over the weapon with utmost respect. Jake attempts to capture the moment with a snapshot, but the click of the camera alerts his presence, leading to his capture. Hiroto confiscates the camera's film, sternly warning Jake to refrain from writing about the incident. As Jake stares at Hiroto's car, a familiar sight dawns on him—the same vehicle he had seen outside Aiko's residence during his previous visit.
